5 Tips to Beat the Cardio Boredom

Recently I have been having a lot of conversations about “doing your cardio” with several clients. Yes, several clients, so it is not just one or two. And believe me, I hate the treadmill as much as the next person. But lets really talk about that….

When I was a kid I hated vegetables! I grew up in Kansas City and if it wasn’t burnt ends on bread I really didn’t have a taste for it. I was groomed to be a meat and potatoes kind of guy and could never get my mind wrapped around vegetables.

But today, 41 years later, I not only eat my vegetables with pride, but I also do my CARDIO! It really is all about choices and decisions.

Want that scale to go down? Then get your cardio in!!

Saying Yes when you want to say NO!

A few years back when I was trying to figure out this whole getting in shape thing, I despised cardio. As much as I hated peas and carrots when I was a kid, I really couldn’t stand cardiovascular exercise. But dammit, I needed to lose some weight so my knees didn’t hurt so much!!

So I would get on the treadmill and start walking. In the beginning, I could only do 7 minutes before I would lose my mind and go find something else to not do.

Now, I can get up on there and go for 45 minutes like it is a BBQ sandwich from KC!! Yes its that easy!! You just have to decide that you need to make a change and then go do it!!

But, if you are really struggling to do your cardio workouts to lose weight fast, here are some cheats to make it easier.

Cardio Workouts to Lose Weight Fast: 5 Simple Tips

1 The Trio!

Go to the gym an pick three pieces of equipment like a Treadmill, Bike, and Elypitcal. Hit quick-start and do each piece of equipment for 5 minutes. Then do 3 rounds. That’s 15 minutes per round and 45 minutes total. Each time you are only shooting for 5 minutes so that is easy and doable!!

2 Take a Class! If you can’t get your butt on the cardio equipment, take a class at the local gym. Bodypump, Spin, or Zumba are great starters. And don’t worry about everyone else! It took me 5 years to take my first class because I was embarrased.

Look at it this way….people will be more interested in their workout and the mirror than what you are doing.

3 Do a Treadmill Interval Workout!

If the treadmill feels like it sucks your will to live, then do a specific workout. Increase your speed and incline every minute or two until until you hit your max. Then bring it down and do it again!!

4 Get Netflix!

The treadmill is not easy for me now that I am binge watching my favorite shows. I shoot for 150 minutes a week as recommended by the Mayo Clinic. My typical show is about 50 minutes without commercials which is the exact time I need to be on the hamster wheel of death.

5 Set Your Goals!

If you work out every day at 6 am and two of those days are with a Personal Trainer or with weights, then go to the gym at the same time and do your cardio! After a few weeks of being on a schedule you won’t have to drag yourself there, you will just end up on your machine or in your class!

The Most Important Muscle

Remember, the most important muscle is your heart. It is the engine that makes your body go! So, as important as it is to do a good strength routine, working your heart is important as well. If you think of your cardio plan as working your heart, maybe you will find that it works its way up on your priority list!

Want a little more? Get the best of both worlds and try cardio workouts to lose weight fast combined with strength training. This one is my top pick!!